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AUSA 25 – FN Multi-Purpose Tactical Launcher 30mm (MTL-30)

Friday, October 17th, 2025

I got some hands on time with an example of FN America‘s new Multi-purpose Tactical Launcher 30mm (MTL-30), one of several designs vying to become the US Army’s Precision Grenadier System, a semi-auto, box magazine fed grenade launcher with programmable bursting munitions.

The Army’s requirement was caliber agnostic and FN engineers chose 30mm as their “Goldilocks” caliber to achieve the desired effects. The medium velocity rounds produce 45 ft lbs of recoil and shoot pretty flat. With under 3 seconds time of flight to 300 meters, the max elevation for the ammunition is 11m out to 500m.

It features a detachable box magazine with 3- or 5-round capacity. At just 35 inches in length and 8.5 inches tall, the weapon weighs just over 10 lbs. The bolt catch, magazine release and safety selector are all ambidextrous, plus there is an M4-style telescoping buttstock with a modular cheek riser. The modular rail system has a contiguous top rail for mounting of visual augmentation systems (VAS) and other devices, plus side M-LOK slots with a MIL-STD Picatinny rail.

Ammunition is from Nostromo LLC and includes High Explosive Air Burst, Counter-UAS, and Training rounds.

Finally, mag pouches have been developed.

Posted in AUSA, weapons | 6 Comments »

AUSA 25 – SIG SAUER Introduces New Robotic Solutions

Friday, October 17th, 2025

Over the past few AUSA meetings SIG SAUER has incrementally introduced new robotic solutions such as the Pitbull Remote Weapon Station and small arms integration into aerial drones.

This year they exhibited a scaled down version of their RWS mounted to an IAI Fire Storm APUS 60 quadcopter which was developed specifically for this application. It is fuel powered and offers 3 hours of endurance.

The RWS features an LMG and 200 rounds of 7.62 NATO ammunition for a total weight of 24 kg.

It uses the same tech as the ground based RWS but scaled down for aviation use. Consequently, it is purpose built for use with the LMG and is not modular, or meant to accept a variety of weapons.

It will traverse 30 deg left and right and depress -45 deg. That combined with the maneuverability of the drone will ensure target acquisition, PID, and engagement via the controller.

Additionally, they showed the Pitbull RWS mounted to a Deka Sentry Security Platform. This all-terrain, wheeled, multi-mission robot is offered in 3 models with this being the Monster Bot.

It is adapted from a carriage for individuals with mobility challenges and is gyrostabilized to offer a solid, upright platform for any application including ISR and weapon employment. For example, it keeps the payload level even when negotiating stairs.

While the weapon station relies on SIG’s controller, the platform itself can be autonomous, negotiating terrain on its own with little to no human input other than waypoints.

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AUSA 25 – Norotos Universal Bridge Adapter

Friday, October 17th, 2025

Norotos shows us their brand new Universal Bridge Adapter, a modular NVG mount which will accept a variety of night vision and thermal systems, both monocular and binocular.

When used in conjunction with their machined J-Arm you can mount one or two AN/PVS-14s.

Likewise, you can mount any device with a dovetail shoe. As the shoe receivers can be moved along the bridge to set the proper interpupillary distance, you can also set a single shoe receiver in the center for use with binocular devices.

Posted in AUSA, Optics | Comments Off on AUSA 25 – Norotos Universal Bridge Adapter

AUSA 25 – SURF from SAFRAN DSI

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Over the years Safran’s Pocket Laser Rangefinder (PLRF) line has become the standard light rangefinder for snipers, JTACs, and Forward Observers.

In order to continue providing the best capabilities to their customers they have introduced the Small Ultralight Range Finder (SURF) which was developed by Safran DSI in the USA and is an ITAR product.

SURF is 20% smaller and lighter than PLRF25C and is distinguished by its vertical orientation and ergonomics. In addition, it uses the Safran Vectronix 3019 rangefinder for increased performance out to 8000 meters. Simple to use, SURF can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices such as Kestral and ATAK.

SURF is fully qualified, in full-rate production, and available for order with deliver this year.

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AUSA 25 – GORE-TEX Introduces Improved Army Wet Weather Boot by McRae Footwear

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

GORE-TEX brand displayed their candidate for an Improved Army Temperate Wet Weather Boot.

This boot is commercially available from McRae Footwear and is a GORE-TEX lined variant of their popular modern jungle boot called the Terrassault (T2) Ultra Light Hot Weather Combat Boot. The addition of the GORE-TEX lining makes them suitable for temperate climates where Soldiers often face cold wet conditions such as in Central Europe and across the much of North America.

The boot is 40% lighter, 25% more breathable, and not to mention more flexible, than the Temperate Combat Boot which was removed from the clothing bag. Currently, Soldiers receive two pairs of Hot Weather Boots. One of these could be swapped out for the Improved Army Temperate Wet Weather Boot to offer Soldiers better foot protection in wet environments.

Wear testers said it was more comfortable and lighter than the temperate combat boot as well as offering an athletic fit.

Below is a chart that compares the current Army Temperate Weather Boot with this proposed replacement and the Army Hot Weather Boot.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Boots | 1 Comment »

AUSA 25 – CODiAQ by Skyborne Technologies

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Every year the Australian pavilion at AUSA’s annual meeting gets larger and this year it was packed with both companies and victor’s checking out their wares.

Our friends at Ghost Robotics told us to check out a project they were working on with Skyborne Technologies called Controller Operated Direct Action Quadruped or CODiAQ.

Mounted in a roll cage to Ghost’s Vision-60 Quadraped Unmanned Ground Vehicle, this lethal direct-fire and ballistic breaching robot boasts the HAVOC 40mm Weapon Payload which is a rotary launcher with five tubes. Alternatively there is the CHAOS 12 ga payload, a 10 rotating cylinder weapon.

This sits atop the Targeting Electronics &Optics Box (TEOB) and utilizes a Silvus Streamcaster MANET Radio. The TEOB is powered by Skyborne’s Targeting Software which provides AI assisted target recognition, ballistic computation, and platform control via a single RF link and control station (GCS).

The system weighs 66 kg / 145 lbs and can be mounted to the Vision-60 in 10 minutes with weapon swap-out or reload in just 90 seconds.

The program is sponsored by ASD/SOLIC’s Capability Development and Innovation office.

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AUSA 25 – Leupold HARM

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

Leupold exhibited their High-Angle Reflex Mount for use with grenade launchers.

Used in conjunction with a Delta Point Pro it comes with different elevation turrets based on the ballistics of the round. Seen here are HE and TPT turrets which easily swapped out.

Posted in AUSA, Optics | 1 Comment »

AUSA 25 – Rheinmetall Skyranger 762 Ultra Short Range Air Defense Remote Weapon Station (U-SHORAD RWS) Mounted to US Army ISV

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

Rheinmetall displayed their Skyranger 762 Ultra Short Range Air Defense Remote Weapon Station (U-SHORAD RWS) mounted to a US Army Infantry Squad Vehicle Cargo variant made by GMC.

The system combines the Echodyne EchoShield radar with two 7.62mm M134D Miniguns mounted on the Fieldranger Multi Remote Combat Weapon System to go after unmanned aerial systems, in particular small drones (NATO Class I) and lightly armored ground vehicles in a pinch.

Posted in AUSA, weapons | 9 Comments »